Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                                 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Repeal and saving ............................................................................... 1

4............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 2

4AA...... De facto relationships ....................................................................... 27

4A......... Third party proceedings to set aside financial agreement ................. 28

4B......... Third party proceedings to set aside Part VIIIAB financial agreement 29

5............ Debtor subject to a personal insolvency agreement ......................... 31

6............ Polygamous marriages ...................................................................... 31

7............ Extension of Act to certain Territories ............................................. 31

7A......... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 32

8............ Supersession of existing laws ........................................................... 32

9............ Transitional ....................................................................................... 32

Part IA--Protection of names                                                                                         36

9A......... Use of protected names and symbols ............................................... 36

Part II--Non‑court based family services                                                               38

Division 1--Accreditation of family counsellors, family dispute resolution practitioners and other family service providers                                                                                 38

10A....... Accreditation Rules .......................................................................... 38

Division 2--Family counselling                                                                              40

10B....... Definition of family counselling ........................................................ 40

10C....... Definition of family counsellor ......................................................... 40

10D....... Confidentiality of communications in family counselling ................ 41

10E........ Admissibility of communications in family counselling and in referrals from family counselling            42

Division 3--Family dispute resolution                                                               44

10F........ Definition of family dispute resolution ............................................. 44

10G....... Definition of family dispute resolution practitioner .......................... 44

10H....... Confidentiality of communications in family dispute resolution ..... 44

10J........ Admissibility of communications in family dispute resolution and in referrals from family dispute resolution     46

10K....... Family dispute resolution practitioners must comply with regulations   47

Division 4--Arbitration                                                                                              48

10L........ Definition of arbitration ................................................................... 48

10M...... Definition of arbitrator .................................................................... 48

10N....... Arbitrators may charge fees for their services .................................. 48

10P........ Immunity of arbitrators .................................................................... 49

Part III--Family consultants                                                                                           50

Division 1--About family consultants                                                                 50

11A....... Functions of family consultants ....................................................... 50

11B....... Definition of family consultant ......................................................... 50

11C....... Admissibility of communications with family consultants and referrals from family consultants          51

11D....... Immunity of family consultants ....................................................... 51

Division 2--Courts' use of family consultants                                               52

11E........ Courts to consider seeking advice from family consultants ............. 52

11F........ Court may order parties to attend appointments with a family consultant             52

11G....... Consequences of failure to comply with order under section 11F ... 53

Part IIIA--Obligations to inform people about non‑court based family services and about court's processes and services                                                                                                           54

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                           54

12A....... Objects of this Part ........................................................................... 54

Division 2--Kind of information to be provided                                           55

12B....... Prescribed information about non‑court based family services and court's processes and services        55

12C....... Prescribed information about reconciliation ..................................... 55

12D....... Prescribed information about Part VII proceedings .......................... 55

Division 3--Who must provide information, and when                             56

12E........ Obligations on legal practitioners ..................................................... 56

12F........ Obligations on principal executive officers of courts ....................... 56

12G....... Obligations on family counsellors, family dispute resolution practitioners and arbitrators     57

Part IIIB--Court's powers in relation to court and non‑court based family services           58

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                           58

13A....... Objects of this Part ........................................................................... 58

Division 2--Help with reconciliation                                                                   59

13B....... Court to accommodate possible reconciliations ............................... 59

Division 3--Referrals to family counselling, family dispute resolution and other family services           60

13C....... Court may refer parties to family counselling, family dispute resolution and other family services       60

13D....... Consequences of failure to comply with order under section 13C ... 61

Division 4--Court's role in relation to arbitration of disputes              62

13E........ Court may refer Part VIII proceedings or Part VIIIAB proceedings to arbitration 62

13F........ Court may make orders to facilitate arbitration of certain disputes . 62

13G....... Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court may determine questions of law referred by arbitrator    62

13H....... Awards made in arbitration may be registered in court .................... 63

13J........ Family Court or Federal Magistrates Court can review registered awards               63

13K....... Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court may set aside registered awards        64

Part IV--The Family Court of Australia                                                                   65

Division 1--Interpretation                                                                                        65

20.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 65

Division 2--The Family Court of Australia                                                      66

21.......... Creation of Court .............................................................................. 66

21A....... Divisions of Court ............................................................................ 66

21B....... Arrangement of business of Court .................................................... 66

Division 3--Judges                                                                                                       68

22.......... Appointment, removal and resignation of Judges ............................ 68

23.......... Seniority ........................................................................................... 69

24.......... Absence or illness of Chief Judge ..................................................... 71

25.......... Salary and Allowances ...................................................................... 71

26.......... Oath or affirmation of allegiance and office ...................................... 72

Division 4--Judicial Registrars                                                                             73

26A....... Judicial Registrars ............................................................................. 73

26B....... Powers of Judicial Registrars ............................................................ 73

26C....... Review of decisions of Judicial Registrars ........................................ 74

26D....... Exercise of delegated powers by Court ............................................ 75

26E........ Application of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 to rules of court 75

26F........ Independence of Judicial Registrars .................................................. 76

26G....... Judicial Registrars hold office on full time or part time basis ........... 76

26H....... Qualifications for appointment etc. .................................................. 76

26I......... Term of office ................................................................................... 76

26J........ Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 76

26JA..... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 77

26K....... Resignation ....................................................................................... 77

26L........ Termination of appointment ............................................................ 77

26M...... Oath or affirmation of office ............................................................. 77

26N....... Terms and conditions of appointment not provided for by Act ...... 78

Division 5--Jurisdiction and exercise of jurisdiction                                 79

27.......... Place of sitting .................................................................................. 79

27A....... Change of venue ................................................................................ 79

28.......... Exercise of jurisdiction ...................................................................... 79

30.......... Court divided in opinion ................................................................... 80

31.......... Original jurisdiction of Family Court ............................................... 81

33.......... Jurisdiction in associated matters ..................................................... 81

33A....... Proceedings not to be instituted in the Family Court if an associated matter is before the Federal Magistrates Court .......................................................................................................... 82

33B....... Discretionary transfer of proceedings to the Federal Magistrates Court                 82

33C....... Mandatory transfer of proceedings to the Federal Magistrates Court 84

34.......... Issue of certain writs etc. .................................................................. 85

35.......... Contempt of court ............................................................................ 85

Division 6--Registries and officers                                                                     86

36.......... Registries .......................................................................................... 86

37.......... Officers of Court .............................................................................. 86

37A....... Delegation of powers to Registrars .................................................. 86

37B....... Independence of Registrars ............................................................... 90

37C....... Oath or affirmation of office ............................................................. 91

Division 7--Practice and procedure                                                                    92

38.......... Practice and procedure ...................................................................... 92

Part IVA--Management of the Court                                                                        93

Division 1--Management responsibilities of the Chief Judge and the Chief Executive Officer              93

38A....... Management of administrative affairs of Court ................................ 93

38B....... Chief Executive Officer ..................................................................... 93

Division 1A--Administration of Court's family services                         94

38BA.... Chief Executive Officer has functions of family consultants ........... 94

38BB..... Chief Executive Officer may delegate powers and functions that relate to family consultants                94

38BC..... Chief Executive Officer may give directions that relate to family services functions               94

38BD.... Chief Executive Officer may authorise officer or staff member to act as family counsellor or family dispute resolution practitioner ....................................................................................... 95

Division 2--Appointment, powers etc. of Chief Executive Officer    96

38C....... Appointment of Chief Executive Officer ......................................... 96

38D....... Powers of Chief Executive Officer ................................................... 96

38E........ Remuneration of Chief Executive Officer ......................................... 96

38F........ Terms and conditions of appointment of Chief Executive Officer ... 96

38G....... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 97

38H....... Resignation ....................................................................................... 97

38J........ Outside employment of Chief Executive Officer ............................. 97

38K....... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 97

38L........ Disclosure of interests by Chief Executive Officer .......................... 99

38M...... Acting Chief Executive Officer ......................................................... 99

Division 3--Other officers and staff of Registries                                     100

38N....... Personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer ........................... 100

38P........ Marshal ........................................................................................... 101

38Q....... Statutory Agency etc. for purposes of Public Service Act ............ 101

38R....... Engagement of consultants etc. ....................................................... 101

Division 4--Miscellaneous administrative matters                                  103

38S........ Annual report ................................................................................. 103

38W...... Delegation of administrative powers of Chief Judge ...................... 103

38X....... Proceedings arising out of administration of Court ........................ 103

Part V--Jurisdiction of courts                                                                                       104

Division 1--Jurisdiction in matrimonial causes                                          104

39.......... Jurisdiction in matrimonial causes .................................................. 104

Division 2--Jurisdiction in de facto financial causes                                108

39A....... Instituting proceedings ................................................................... 108

39B....... Jurisdiction in de facto financial causes .......................................... 109

39C....... Ceasing jurisdiction of Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia       109

39D....... Ceasing jurisdiction of State or Territory courts of summary jurisdiction               110

39E........ Revoking Proclamations ceasing jurisdiction of State or Territory courts                110

39F........ Territory court does not have jurisdiction unless a party is ordinarily resident in the Territory            111

39G....... Jurisdiction in relation to transferred matters under other Commonwealth laws     111

Division 3--Other provisions                                                                               112

40.......... Jurisdiction of Family Court .......................................................... 112

40A....... Exercise of jurisdiction of Federal Magistrates Court in certain States and Territories            113

41.......... Establishment of State Family Courts ............................................ 113

42.......... Law to be applied ........................................................................... 115

43.......... Principles to be applied by courts .................................................. 115

44.......... Institution of proceedings ............................................................... 116

44A....... Proceedings for divorce order ......................................................... 120

45.......... Stay and transfer of proceedings .................................................... 120

46.......... Transfer of proceedings from court of summary jurisdiction in certain cases          121

47.......... Courts to act in aid of each other .................................................... 124

Part VI--Divorce and nullity of marriage                                                              125

48.......... Divorce ........................................................................................... 125

49.......... Meaning of separation .................................................................... 125

50.......... Effect of resumption of cohabitation .............................................. 125

51.......... Nullity of marriage .......................................................................... 126

52.......... Court not to make divorce order where application for decree of nullity before it 126

53.......... Circumstances occurring before commencement of Act or outside Australia           126

55.......... When divorce order takes effect ..................................................... 126

55A....... Divorce order where children .......................................................... 128

56.......... Certificate as to divorce order ......................................................... 128

57.......... Rescission of divorce order where parties reconciled ..................... 129

58.......... Rescission of divorce order on ground of miscarriage of justice ..... 129

59.......... Re‑marriage ..................................................................................... 129

Part VII--Children                                                                                                              130

Division 1--Introductory                                                                                         130

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             130

60A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 130

Subdivision B--Object, principles and outline                                                   130

60B....... Objects of Part and principles underlying it ................................... 130

60C....... Outline of Part ................................................................................ 131

Subdivision BA--Best interests of the child                                                       135

60CA.... Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a parenting order           135

60CB..... Proceedings to which Subdivision applies ...................................... 135

60CC..... How a court determines what is in a child's best interests ............ 135

60CD.... How the views of a child are expressed .......................................... 138

60CE..... Children not required to express views .......................................... 139

60CF..... Informing court of relevant family violence orders ......................... 139

60CG.... Court to consider risk of family violence ....................................... 139

Subdivision C--Interpretation and application of Part                                      139

60E........ Application of Part to void marriages ............................................ 139

Subdivision D--Interpretation--how this Act applies to certain children    140

60EA..... Definition of de facto partner ......................................................... 140

60F........ Certain children are children of marriage etc. .................................. 140

60G....... Family Court may grant leave for adoption proceedings by prescribed adopting parent        141

60H....... Children born as a result of artificial conception procedures ......... 141

60HA.... Children of de facto partners .......................................................... 142

60HB.... Children born under surrogacy arrangements ................................. 143

Subdivision E--Family dispute resolution                                                           144

60I......... Attending family dispute resolution before applying for Part VII order 144

60J........ Family dispute resolution not attended because of child abuse or family violence 148

60K....... Court to take prompt action in relation to allegations of child abuse or family violence         149

Division 2--Parental responsibility                                                                    151

61A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 151

61B....... Meaning of parental responsibility ................................................. 151

61C....... Each parent has parental responsibility (subject to court orders) .. 151

61D....... Parenting orders and parental responsibility .................................. 152

61DA.... Presumption of equal shared parental responsibility when making parenting orders              152

61DB.... Application of presumption of equal shared parental responsibility after interim parenting order made               153

61E........ Effect of adoption on parental responsibility ................................ 153

61F........ Application to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children .......... 153

Division 3--Reports relating to children under 18                                   154

62A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 154

62B....... Court's obligation to inform people to whom Part VII orders apply about family counselling, family dispute resolution and other family services ............................................... 154

62G....... Reports by family consultants ....................................................... 154

Division 4--Parenting plans                                                                                   156

63A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 156

63B....... Parents encouraged to reach agreement ........................................... 156

63C....... Meaning of parenting plan and related terms ................................. 156

63CAA. Parenting plans may include child support provisions .................. 158

63D....... Parenting plan may be varied or revoked by further written agreement   158

63DA.... Obligations of advisers ................................................................... 159

63DB.... Registered parenting plans .............................................................. 161

63E........ Registration of a revocation of a registered parenting plan ............. 162

63F........ Child welfare provisions of registered parenting plans .................. 162

63G....... Child maintenance provisions of registered parenting plans--where not enforceable as maintenance agreements 163

63H....... Court's powers to set aside, discharge, vary, suspend or revive registered parenting plans    165

Division 5--Parenting orders--what they are                                              166

64A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 166

64B....... Meaning of parenting order and related terms ............................... 166

64C....... Parenting orders may be made in favour of parents or other persons 168

64D....... Parenting orders subject to later parenting plans ............................ 168

Division 6--Parenting orders other than child maintenance orders 169

Subdivision A--Introductory                                                                                  169

65A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 169

65AA.... Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a parenting order           169

65B....... Division does not apply to child maintenance orders .................... 170

Subdivision B--Applying for and making parenting orders                            170

65C....... Who may apply for a parenting order ............................................ 170

65D....... Court's power to make parenting order ......................................... 170

65DAA. Court to consider child spending equal time or substantial and significant time with each parent in certain circumstances .................................................................................. 171

65DAB. Court to have regard to parenting plans ......................................... 173

65DAC. Effect of parenting order that provides for shared parental responsibility              173

65DAE.. No need to consult on issues that are not major long‑term issues .. 174

65DA.... Parenting orders .............................................................................. 174

65F........ General requirements for counselling before parenting order made 175

65G....... Special conditions for making parenting order about whom a child lives with or the allocation of parental responsibility by consent in favour of non‑parent ................................................ 176

65H....... Children who are 18 or over or who have married or entered de facto relationships                177

65J........ Effect of adoption on parenting order ............................................ 177

65K....... What happens when parenting order that deals with whom a child lives with does not make provision in relation to death of parent with whom child lives ........................................... 178

65L........ Family consultants may be required to supervise or assist compliance with parenting orders                178

65LA..... Court may order attendance at a post‑separation parenting program 179

65LB..... Conditions for providers of post‑separation parenting programs .. 179

Subdivision C--General obligations created by certain parenting orders    180

65M...... General obligations created by parenting order that deals with whom a child lives with         180

65N....... General obligations created by parenting order that deals with whom a child spends time with             181

65NA.... General obligations created by parenting order that deals with whom a child communicates with          181

65P........ General obligations created by parenting order that allocates parental responsibility             181

65Q....... Court may issue warrant for arrest of alleged offender .................. 182

Subdivision D--Dealing with people who have been arrested                          182

65R....... Situation to which Subdivision applies .......................................... 182

65S........ Arrested person to be brought before a court ................................. 183

65T....... Obligation of court--where application before it to deal with contravention          183

65U....... Obligation of court--where no application before it, but application before another court, to deal with contravention ........................................................................................................ 184

65V....... Obligation of court--where no application before any court to deal with contravention        185

65W...... Applications heard as required by subsection 65T(2) or paragraph 65U(3)(b)       185

Subdivision E--Obligations under parenting orders relating to taking or sending children from Australia               186

65X....... Interpretation .................................................................................. 186

65Y....... Obligations if certain parenting orders have been made .................. 186

65Z....... Obligations if proceedings for the making of certain parenting orders are pending 187

65ZA.... Obligations of owners etc. of aircraft and vessels if certain parenting orders made                 187

65ZB..... Obligations of owners etc. of aircraft and vessels if proceedings for the making of certain parenting orders are pending ........................................................................................................ 188

65ZC..... General provisions applicable to sections 65ZA and 65ZB .......... 190

65ZD.... State or Territory laws stopping children leaving Australia not affected                 190

Division 7--Child maintenance orders                                                            191

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             191

66A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 191

Subdivision B--Objects and principles                                                                191

66B....... Objects ............................................................................................ 191

66C....... Principles--parents have primary duty to maintain ...................... 191

66D....... Principles--when step‑parents have a duty to maintain ............... 192

Subdivision C--Relationship with Child Support (Assessment) Act             192

66E........ Child maintenance order not to be made etc. if application for administrative assessment of child support could be made ................................................................................................ 192

Subdivision D--Applying for and making child maintenance orders            193

66F........ Who may apply for a child maintenance order ............................... 193

66G....... Court's power to make child maintenance order ............................ 193

66H....... Approach to be taken in proceedings for child maintenance order . 193

66J........ Matters to be taken into account in considering financial support necessary for maintenance of child   194

66K....... Matters to be taken into account in determining contribution that should be made by party etc.           195

66L........ Children who are 18 or over ........................................................... 196

66M...... When step‑parents have a duty to maintain ................................... 197

66N....... Determining financial contribution of step‑parent ......................... 197

Subdivision E--Other aspects of courts' powers                                                198

66P........ General powers of court ................................................................. 198

66Q....... Urgent child maintenance orders ..................................................... 199

66R....... Specification in orders of payments etc. for child maintenance purposes                199

66S........ Modification of child maintenance orders ...................................... 200

Subdivision EA--Varying the maintenance of certain children                      203

66SA..... Varying the maintenance of certain children ................................... 203

Subdivision F--When child maintenance orders stop being in force             204

66T....... Effect of child turning 18 ................................................................ 204

66U....... Effect of death of child, person liable to pay or person entitled to receive              204

66V....... Effect of adoption, marriage or entering into a de facto relationship 204

66VA.... Children who are 18 or over: change of circumstances ................... 205

66W...... Recovery of arrears ......................................................................... 205

Subdivision G--Recovery of amounts paid under maintenance orders          206

66X....... Recovery of amounts paid, and property transferred or settled, under maintenance orders    206

Division 8--Other matters relating to children                                           209

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             209

67A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 209

Subdivision B--Father's liability to contribute towards child bearing expenses if not married to mother     209

67B....... Father liable to contribute towards maintenance and expenses of mother                209

67C....... Matters to be taken into account in proceedings under Subdivision 210

67D....... Powers of court in proceedings under Subdivision ......................... 210

67E........ Urgent orders .................................................................................. 211

67F........ Who may institute proceedings ...................................................... 212

67G....... Time limit for institution of proceedings ........................................ 212

Subdivision C--Location and recovery of children                                            212

67J........ Meaning of location order and Commonwealth information order 212

67K....... Who may apply for a location order .............................................. 212

67L........ Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a location order              213

67M...... Provisions about location orders, other than Commonwealth information orders   213

67N....... Provisions about Commonwealth information orders .................... 214

67P........ Information provided under location order not to be disclosed except to limited persons       216

67Q....... Meaning of recovery order ............................................................. 217

67R....... How recovery orders authorise or direct people ............................ 218

67S........ How recovery orders to stop and search etc. name or describe vehicles, places etc.               218

67T....... Who may apply for a recovery order ............................................. 219

67U....... Court's power to make recovery order .......................................... 219

67V....... Child's best interests paramount consideration in making a recovery order            219

67W...... How long recovery order remains in force ...................................... 219

67X....... Persons not to prevent or hinder taking of action under recovery order 220

67Y....... Obligation to notify persons of child's return ................................ 220

Subdivision D--Allegations of child abuse                                                          221

67Z....... Where party to proceedings makes allegation of child abuse ......... 221

67ZA.... Where member of the Court personnel, family counsellor, family dispute resolution practitioner or arbitrator suspects child abuse etc. ................................................................................ 221

67ZB..... No liability for notification under section 67Z or 67ZA ................ 223

Subdivision E--Other orders about children                                                      223

67ZC..... Orders relating to welfare of children ............................................. 223

67ZD.... Orders for delivery of passports .................................................... 224

Division 9--Injunctions                                                                                            225

68A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 225

68B....... Injunctions ...................................................................................... 225

68C....... Powers of arrest .............................................................................. 226

Division 10--Independent representation of child's interests           227

68L........ Court order for independent representation of child's interests .... 227

68LA..... Role of independent children's lawyer ........................................... 228

68M...... Order that child be made available for examination ........................ 229

Division 11--Family violence                                                                                231

68N....... Purposes of this Division ............................................................... 231

68P........ Obligations of court making an order or granting an injunction under this Act that is inconsistent with an existing family violence order ...................................................................... 231

68Q....... Relationship of order or injunction made under this Act with existing inconsistent family violence order             233

68R....... Power of court making a family violence order to revive, vary, discharge or suspend an existing order, injunction or arrangement under this Act ............................................................. 234

68S........ Application of Act and Rules when exercising section 68R power 235

68T....... Special provisions relating to proceedings to make an interim (or interim variation of) family violence order        236

Division 12--Proceedings and jurisdiction                                                    237

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             237

69A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 237

Subdivision B--Institution of proceedings and procedure                               237

69B....... Certain proceedings to be instituted only under this Part .............. 237

69C....... Who may institute proceedings ...................................................... 237

69D....... Institution of maintenance proceedings by authorised authority or person             238

69E........ Child or parent to be present in Australia etc. ............................... 238

69F........ Applicant may be in contempt ....................................................... 239

Subdivision C--Jurisdiction of courts                                                                 239

69G....... Interpretation .................................................................................. 239

69H....... Jurisdiction of Family Court, State Family Courts, Northern Territory Supreme Court and Federal Magistrates Court ........................................................................................................ 239

69J........ Jurisdiction of courts of summary jurisdiction ............................... 239

69K....... Territory court does not have jurisdiction unless a party is ordinarily resident in the Territory            241

69L........ Jurisdiction in relation to transferred matters under other Commonwealth laws     241

69M...... Jurisdiction is additional to other jurisdiction ................................ 241

69N....... Transfer of proceedings from courts of summary jurisdiction in certain cases        241

Subdivision D--Presumptions of parentage                                                        243

69P........ Presumptions of parentage arising from marriage ........................... 243

69Q....... Presumption of paternity arising from cohabitation ...................... 243

69R....... Presumption of parentage arising from registration of birth ........... 244

69S........ Presumptions of parentage arising from findings of courts ............ 244

69T....... Presumption of paternity arising from acknowledgments .............. 245

69U....... Rebuttal of presumptions etc. ........................................................ 245

Subdivision E--Parentage evidence                                                                      245

69V....... Evidence of parentage ..................................................................... 245

69VA.... Declarations of parentage ............................................................... 246

69W...... Orders for carrying out of parentage testing procedures ................ 246

69X....... Orders associated with parentage testing orders ............................ 246

69XA.... Matters related particularly to parentage testing for purposes of an international agreement or arrangement        247

69Y....... Orders directed to persons 18 or over ............................................ 248

69Z....... Orders directed to children under 18 .............................................. 248

69ZA.... No liability if parent etc. consents ................................................. 248

69ZB..... Regulations about carrying out, and reporting on, parentage testing procedures     249

69ZC..... Reports of information obtained may be received in evidence ....... 249

69ZD.... Parentage testing for purposes of international maintenance agreements                 250

Subdivision F--Extension, application and additional operation of Part        251

69ZE..... Extension of Part to the States ....................................................... 251

69ZF..... Unless declaration in force, Part's extension to a State has effect subject to modifications     251

69ZG.... Application of Part in, and in relation to, Territories ..................... 252

69ZH.... Additional application of Part ........................................................ 252

69ZJ...... Additional jurisdiction of courts ..................................................... 253

69ZK.... Child welfare laws not affected ...................................................... 254

Division 12A--Principles for conducting child‑related proceedings 255

Subdivision A--Proceedings to which this Division applies                            255

69ZM... Proceedings to which this Division applies .................................... 255

Subdivision B--Principles for conducting child‑related proceedings           256

69ZN.... Principles for conducting child‑related proceedings ....................... 256

69ZO.... This Division also applies to proceedings in Chambers ................. 257

69ZP..... Powers under this Division may be exercised on court's own initiative 257

Subdivision C--Duties and powers related to giving effect to the principles 257

69ZQ.... General duties ................................................................................. 257

69ZR..... Power to make determinations, findings and orders at any stage of proceedings     258

69ZS..... Use of family consultants ............................................................... 258

Subdivision D--Matters relating to evidence                                                      259

69ZT..... Rules of evidence not to apply unless court decides ...................... 259

69ZU.... Evidence of family consultants ....................................................... 260

69ZV..... Evidence of children ........................................................................ 260

69ZW.... Evidence relating to child abuse or family violence ........................ 261

69ZX.... Court's general duties and powers relating to evidence .................. 262

Division 13--State, Territory and overseas orders                                  264

Subdivision A--What this Division does                                                             264

70A....... What this Division does ................................................................. 264

Subdivision B--Registration of State and Territory orders                            264

70C....... General registration of orders made under law of prescribed State 264

70D....... Registration of orders in a particular State ..................................... 264

70E........ Effect of registration ....................................................................... 264

Subdivision C--Registration of overseas orders                                               265

70G....... Registration of orders ..................................................................... 265

70H....... Effect of registration--general ........................................................ 265

70J........ Effect of registration on exercise of jurisdiction ............................. 265

70K....... Cancellation of registration if Subdivision C parenting order made 266

70L........ Relationship between Australian orders and registered overseas child orders          266

Subdivision D--Transmission of Australian orders to overseas jurisdictions 267

70M...... Registrar to send documents etc. to overseas jurisdiction .............. 267

70N....... Regulations may deal with sending Australian orders etc. to overseas jurisdiction 268

Division 13A--Consequences of failure to comply with orders, and other obligations, that affect children                                                                                                                     270

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  270

70NAA. Simplified outline of Division ......................................................... 270

70NAB. Application of Division .................................................................. 270

70NAC. Meaning of contravened an order ................................................... 271

70NAD. Requirements taken to be included in certain orders ...................... 271

70NAE.. Meaning of reasonable excuse for contravening an order .............. 272

70NAF.. Standard of proof ............................................................................ 274

Subdivision B--Court's power to vary parenting order                                    274

70NBA. Variation of parenting order ............................................................ 274

70NBB.. Effect of parenting plan .................................................................. 275

Subdivision C--Contravention alleged but not established                              276

70NCA. Application of Subdivision ............................................................. 276

70NCB.. Costs ............................................................................................... 276

Subdivision D--Contravention established but reasonable excuse for contravention         277

70NDA. Application of Subdivision ............................................................. 277

70NDB. Order compensating person for time lost ....................................... 277

70NDC. Costs ............................................................................................... 278

Subdivision E--Contravention without reasonable excuse (less serious contravention)    278

70NEA.. Application of Subdivision ............................................................. 278

70NEB.. Powers of court .............................................................................. 279

70NEC.. Bonds .............................................................................................. 282

70NED.. Duties of provider of post‑separation parenting program ............. 283

70NEF.. Evidence .......................................................................................... 283

70NEG.. Court may make further orders in relation to attendance at program 283

Subdivision F--Contravention without reasonable excuse (more serious contravention) 284

70NFA.. Application of Subdivision ............................................................. 284

70NFB.. Powers of court .............................................................................. 285

70NFC.. When court is empowered to make a community service order ..... 287

70NFD.. Variation and discharge of community service orders .................... 288

70NFE.. Bonds .............................................................................................. 289

70NFF.. Procedure for enforcing community service orders or bonds ......... 289

70NFG.. Sentences of imprisonment ............................................................. 290

70NFH.. Relationship between Subdivision and other laws ......................... 292

70NFI... Arrangements with States and Territories for carrying out of sentences and orders                292

70NFJ... Subdivision does not limit operation of section 105 ...................... 292

Division 14--Miscellaneous                                                                                  293

70P........ What this Division does ................................................................. 293

70Q....... Certain instruments not liable to duty ............................................ 293

Part VIII--Property, spousal maintenance and maintenance agreements                 294

71.......... Interpretation .................................................................................. 294

71A....... This Part does not apply to certain matters covered by binding financial agreements             294

72.......... Right of spouse to maintenance ...................................................... 294

74.......... Power of court in spousal maintenance proceedings ...................... 295

75.......... Matters to be taken into consideration in relation to spousal maintenance              296

77.......... Urgent spousal maintenance cases .................................................. 299

77A....... Specification in orders of payments etc. for spouse maintenance purposes            299

78.......... Declaration of interests in property ............................................... 300

79.......... Alteration of property interests ..................................................... 300

79A....... Setting aside of orders altering property interests .......................... 307

79B....... Notification of proceeds of crime orders etc. ................................. 310

79C....... Court to stay property or spousal maintenance proceedings affected by proceeds of crime orders etc.                 311

79D....... Lifting a stay ................................................................................... 312

79E ........ Intervention by DPP ...................................................................... 312

79F........ Notifying third parties about application ....................................... 312

79G....... Notifying bankruptcy trustee etc. about application under section 74, 78, 79 or 79A            313

5>79H....... Notifying court about bankruptcy etc. ........................................... 313

79J........ Notifying non‑bankrupt spouse about application under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act 1966     315

80.......... General powers of court ................................................................. 315

81.......... Duty of court to end financial relations .......................................... 316

82.......... Cessation of spousal maintenance orders ....................................... 316

83.......... Modification of spousal maintenance orders .................................. 317

85A....... Ante‑nuptial and post‑nuptial settlements .................................... 319

86A....... Certain maintenance agreements ineffective ................................... 320

86.......... Registered maintenance agreements ................................................ 320

87.......... Operation of maintenance agreements entered into in substitution for rights under Act [see Note 2]     322

87A....... Specification in maintenance agreements of payments etc. for maintenance purposes            326

88.......... Enforcement of maintenance agreements ........................................ 327

89.......... Overseas maintenance agreements .................................................. 327

89A....... Institution of spousal maintenance proceedings by authority or person                 327

90.......... Certain instruments not liable to duty ............................................ 328

Part VIIIAA--Orders and injunctions binding third parties                        330

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           330

Subdivision A--Scope of this Part                                                                        330

90AA.... Object of this Part .......................................................................... 330

90AB.... Definitions ...................................................................................... 330

90AC.... This Part overrides other laws, trust deeds etc. ............................. 330

90ACA. This Part not to apply to certain annuities .................................... 331

90AD.... Extended meaning of matrimonial cause and property ................... 331

90ADA. Other provisions of this Act not affected by this Part .................. 331

Division 2--Orders under section 79                                                               332

90AE..... Court may make an order under section 79 binding a third party .. 332

Division 3--Orders or injunctions under section 114                             334

5>90AF..... Court may make an order or injunction under section 114 binding a third party     334

Division 4--Other matters                                                                                     336

90AG.... Orders and injunctions binding on trustees .................................... 336

90AH.... Protection for a third party ............................................................ 336

90AI...... Service of documents on a third party ............................................ 336

90AJ..... Expenses of third party .................................................................. 336

90AK.... Acquisition of property ................................................................. 337

Part VIIIA--Financial agreements                                                                            338

90A....... Definitions ...................................................................................... 338

90B....... Financial agreements before marriage .............................................. 338

90C....... Financial agreements during marriage .............................................. 339

90D....... Financial agreements after divorce order is made ............................ 340

90DA.... Need for separation declaration for certain provisions of financial agreement to take effect   340

90DB.... Whether or when certain other provisions of financial agreements take effect         342

90E........ Requirements with respect to provisions in financial agreements relating to the maintenance of a party or a child or children ........................................................................................... 342

90F........ Certain provisions in agreements .................................................... 342

90G....... When financial agreements are binding ........................................... 343

90H....... Effect of death of party to financial agreement .............................. 343

90J........ Termination of financial agreement ................................................. 344

90K....... Circumstances in which court may set aside a financial agreement or termination agreement 345

90KA.... Validity, enforceability and effect of financial agreements and termination agreements           347

90L........ Financial and other agreements etc. not liable to duty .................... 348

90M...... Notification of proceeds of crime orders etc. ................................. 348

90N....... Court to stay property or spousal maintenance proceedings affected by proceeds of crime orders etc.                 349

90P........ Lifting a stay ................................................................................... 350

90Q ....... Intervention by DPP ...................................................................... 350

Part VIIIAB--Financial matters relating to de facto relationships         351

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           351

Subdivision A--Meaning of key terms                                                                 351

90RA.... Participating jurisdictions ............................................................... 351

90RB..... Meaning of child of a de facto relationship ..................................... 352

Subdivision B--Relationship with State and Territory laws                            352

90RC..... Relationship with State and Territory laws ................................... 352

Subdivision C--Declarations about existence of de facto relationships        354

90RD.... Declarations about existence of de facto relationships ................... 354

90RE..... Effect of declarations ...................................................................... 354

90RF..... Applying for declarations ............................................................... 355

90RG.... Geographical requirement ............................................................... 355

90RH.... Setting aside declarations ................................................................ 355

Division 2--Maintenance, declarations of property interests and alterations of property interests      356

Subdivision A--Application of Division                                                               356

90SA..... This Division does not apply to certain matters covered by binding financial agreements      356

90SB..... When this Division applies--length of relationship etc. ................ 357

90SC..... This Division ceases to apply in relation to a de facto relationship if the parties marry each other       357

Subdivision B--Maintenance                                                                                 358

90SD..... Geographical requirement ............................................................... 358

90SE...... Power of court in maintenance proceedings ................................... 359

90SF...... Matters to be taken into consideration in relation to maintenance . 361

90SG..... Urgent maintenance cases ............................................................... 363

90SH..... Specification in orders of payments etc. for maintenance purposes 364

90SI....... Modification of maintenance orders ............................................... 365

90SJ...... Cessation of maintenance orders .................................................... 367

Subdivision C--Declarations and alterations of property interests               368

90SK..... Geographical requirement ............................................................... 368

90SL...... Declaration of interests in property ............................................... 369

90SM.... Alteration of property interests ..................................................... 369

90SN..... Varying and setting aside orders altering property interests .......... 377

Subdivision D--Notification of application                                                          380

90SO..... Notifying third parties about application ....................................... 380

90SP...... Notifying bankruptcy trustee etc. about application under section 90SE, 90SL, 90SM or 90SN           380

90SQ..... Notifying court about bankruptcy etc. ........................................... 380

90SR..... Notifying non‑bankrupt de facto party about application under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act 1966          382

Subdivision E--Court powers                                                                                 382

90SS...... General powers of court ................................................................. 382

90ST..... Duty of court to end financial relations .......................................... 385

Division 3--Orders and injunctions binding third parties                     386

90TA.... Orders and injunctions binding third parties .................................. 386

Division 4--Financial agreements                                                                      388

90UA.... Geographical requirement for agreements made in participating jurisdictions          388

90UB.... Financial agreements before de facto relationship .......................... 388

90UC.... Financial agreements during de facto relationship .......................... 389

90UD.... Financial agreements after breakdown of a de facto relationship ... 390

90UE..... Agreements made in non‑referring States that become Part VIIIAB financial agreements       391

90UF..... Need for separation declaration for certain provisions of financial agreement to take effect   393

90UG.... Whether or when certain other provisions of financial agreements take effect         394

90UH.... Requirements with respect to provisions in financial agreements relating to the maintenance of a party or a child or children ........................................................................................... 394

90UI...... Certain provisions in financial agreements ..................................... 394

90UJ..... When financial agreements are binding ........................................... 395

90UK.... Effect of death of party to financial agreement .............................. 396

90UL..... Termination of financial agreement ................................................. 396

90UM... Circumstances in which court may set aside a financial agreement or termination agreement 397

90UN.... Validity, enforceability and effect of financial agreements and termination agreements           401

Division 5--Proceeds of crime and forfeiture                                              402

90VA.... Notification of proceeds of crime orders etc. ................................. 402

90VB..... Court to stay property or maintenance proceedings affected by proceeds of crime orders etc.              403

90VC..... Lifting a stay ................................................................................... 403

90VD .... Intervention by DPP ...................................................................... 404

Division 6--Instruments not liable to duty                                                    405

90WA... Certain instruments not liable to duty ............................................ 405

Part VIIIB--Superannuation interests                                                                    406

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           406

Subdivision A--Scope of this Part                                                                        406

90MA... Object of this Part .......................................................................... 406

90MB... This Part overrides other laws, trust deeds etc. ............................. 406

90MC... Extended meanings of matrimonial cause and de facto financial cause 406

Subdivision B--Interpretation                                                                               407

90MD... Definitions ...................................................................................... 407

90MDA Extended meaning of trustee ........................................................... 410

90ME.... Splittable payments ........................................................................ 410

90MF.... Reversionary interest ...................................................................... 411

90MG... Meaning of in force ......................................................................... 411

Division 2--Payment splitting or flagging by agreement                       412

Subdivision A--Superannuation agreements                                                     412

90MH... Superannuation agreement to be included in financial agreement if about a marriage               412

90MHA Superannuation agreement to be included in Part VIIIAB financial agreement if about a de facto relationship       412

Subdivision B--Payment splitting                                                                        413

90MI..... Operative time for payment split ................................................... 413

90MJ.... Payment split under superannuation agreement or flag lifting agreement                 414

Subdivision C--Payment flagging                                                                        415

90MK... Operative time for payment flag .................................................... 415

90ML.... Payment flag ................................................................................... 416

90MLA. Some splittable payments payable if payment flag operating ....... 417

90MM.. Payment flag may be terminated by court ...................................... 418

90MN... Flag lifting agreement etc. ............................................................... 418

Subdivision D--Miscellaneous                                                                              419

90MO... Limitation on section 79 or 90SM order ........................................ 419

90MP.... Separation declaration ..................................................................... 420

90MQ... Superannuation interests in excess of low rate cap amount ........... 422

90MR... Enforcement by court order ............................................................ 423

Division 3--Payment splitting or flagging by court order                      424

90MS.... Order under section 79 or 90SM may include orders in relation to superannuation interests                 424

90MT... Splitting order ................................................................................. 424

90MU... Flagging order .................................................................................. 425

90MUA Some splittable payments may be made without leave of court .... 426

Division 4--General provisions about payment splitting                       427

90MV... Court may cancel payment split .................................................... 427

90MW.. Deductions from splittable payment before calculating payment split .. 427

90MX... Multiple payment splits applying to the same splittable payment 427

90MY... Fees payable to trustee ................................................................... 428

90MZ... Superannuation preservation requirements .................................... 428

90MZA Waiver of rights under payment split ............................................. 429

90MZB. Trustee to provide information ...................................................... 430

90MZC. Death of non‑member spouse ......................................................... 431

Division 5--Miscellaneous                                                                                     432

90MZD Orders binding on trustee ............................................................... 432

90MZE. Protection for trustee ...................................................................... 432

90MZF. Service of documents on trustee ..................................................... 433

90MZG False declarations ............................................................................ 433

90MZH Terminating employment because of payment flag etc. ................. 433

Part IX--Intervention                                                                                                        434

91.......... Intervention by Attorney‑General ................................................. 434

91A....... Delegation by Attorney‑General .................................................... 434

91B....... Intervention by child welfare officer .............................................. 435

92.......... Intervention by other persons ........................................................ 435

92A....... Intervention in child abuse cases .................................................... 436

Part X--Appeals                                                                                                                   437

93.......... No appeal after divorce order takes effect ...................................... 437

93A....... Appellate jurisdiction of Family Court .......................................... 437

94.......... Appeals to Family Court from courts other than the Federal Magistrates Court and the Magistrates Court of Western Australia ......................................................................................... 437

94AAA. Appeals to Family Court from the Federal Magistrates Court and the Magistrates Court of Western Australia   439

94AAB. Appeals, and applications for leave, without oral hearing ............. 442

94AA.... Leave to appeal needed in some cases ............................................ 442

94A....... Case stated ...................................................................................... 444

95.......... Appeals to High Court ................................................................... 445

96.......... Appeals from courts of summary jurisdiction ............................... 445

96AA.... Power to dismiss appeal ................................................................. 446

96A....... Part does not apply to section 111C jurisdiction ........................... 446

Part XI--Procedure and evidence                                                                              448

Division 1--General matters concerning procedure and evidence 448

97.......... Procedure ........................................................................................ 448

98.......... Evidence by affidavit ...................................................................... 449

98A....... Proceedings in absence of parties ................................................... 449

100........ Evidence of husbands and wives .................................................... 450

100B..... Children swearing affidavits, being called as witnesses or being present in court    451

100C..... Evidence in respect of which a child is a protected confider .......... 451

101........ Protection of witnesses .................................................................. 452

102........ Proof of birth, parentage, death or marriage ................................... 452

102A..... Restrictions on examination of children .......................................... 452

102B..... Assessors ........................................................................................ 453

Division 2--Use of video link, audio link or other appropriate means to give testimony, make appearances and give submissions etc.                                 454

102C..... Testimony ...................................................................................... 454

102D..... Appearance of persons ................................................................... 455

102E...... Making of submissions ................................................................... 455

102F...... Conditions for use of links ............................................................. 456

102G..... Putting documents to a person ....................................................... 458

102H..... Putting documents to a split court ................................................. 459

102J...... Administration of oaths and affirmations ....................................... 460

102K..... Expenses ......................................................................................... 460

102L...... New Zealand proceedings ............................................................... 461

Division 3--Split court                                                                                              462

102M.... Determination that there is to be a split court ................................ 462

102N..... Conditions for split court ............................................................... 462

Part XII--Recognition of decrees                                                                              464

103........ Decrees under this Act ................................................................... 464

104........ Overseas decrees ............................................................................. 464

104A..... Recognition in external Territories .................................................. 467

Part XIII--Enforcement of decrees                                                                          468

105........ Enforcement generally .................................................................... 468

106........ Maintenance orders--more than 12 months in arrears ................... 468

106A..... Execution of instruments by order of court .................................... 469

106B..... Transactions to defeat claims ......................................................... 470

107........ People not to be imprisoned for failure to comply with certain orders .. 472

109........ Inter‑State enforcement of child bearing expenses order ................ 472

109A..... Rules of Court relating to enforcement ........................................... 472

109B..... Rules of Court relating to enforcement--Federal Magistrates Court 474

Part XIIIAA--International conventions, international agreements and international enforcement          476

Division 1--International maintenance orders and agreements etc. 476

110........ Overseas enforcement of maintenance orders etc. .......................... 476

110A..... Registration and enforcement in Australia of overseas maintenance agreements etc.               479

110B..... Transmission of agreements etc. to overseas jurisdictions ............. 479

111........ Convention on Recovery Abroad of Maintenance ......................... 479

111A..... Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Relating to Maintenance Obligations          480

111AA.. Maintenance obligations with New Zealand .................................. 480

111AB.. Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Australia for the enforcement of Maintenance (Support) Obligations ...................... 481

Division 2--International child abduction                                                      482

111B..... Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 482

Division 3--International agreements about adoption etc.                   485

111C..... International agreements about adoption etc. ................................. 485

Division 4--International protection of children                                        487

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  487

111CA.. Definitions ...................................................................................... 487

111CB... Relationship between this Division and other provisions .............. 489

Subdivision B--Jurisdiction for the person of a child                                      490

111CC... Application of this Subdivision ...................................................... 490

111CD.. Jurisdiction relating to the person of a child ................................... 490

111CE... Limitation when a child is wrongfully removed from or retained outside a Convention country            492

111CF... Limitations when prior proceedings pending in a Convention country .. 492

111CG.. If a court is asked to assume jurisdiction ........................................ 493

111CH.. Limitation if a competent authority of a Convention country is asked to assume jurisdiction                494

111CI.... When a certain Commonwealth personal protection measure lapses 495

Subdivision C--Jurisdiction for decisions about a guardian of a child's property              496

111CJ.... Application of this Subdivision ...................................................... 496

111CK.. Jurisdiction to appoint, or determine the powers of, a guardian for a child's property           497

111CL... Limitation when a child is wrongfully removed from or retained outside a Convention country            498

111CM. Limitations when prior proceedings pending in a Convention country .. 498

111CN.. If a court is asked to assume jurisdiction ........................................ 500

111CO.. Limitation if a competent authority of a Convention country is asked to assume jurisdiction                500

111CP... When a certain Commonwealth property protection measure lapses 501

Subdivision D--Applicable law                                                                              503

111CQ.. Meaning of law ............................................................................... 503

111CR... Applicable law generally ................................................................ 503

111CS... Applicable law concerning parental responsibility ........................ 503

Subdivision E--Recognition of foreign measures                                              505

111CT... Effect of registered foreign measures .............................................. 505

Subdivision F--Co‑operation                                                                                  505

111CU.. Obligation to obtain consent to place child .................................... 505

111CV... Obligation to inform competent authority about serious danger to a child              505

111CW.. Court proceedings dealing with whom a child spends time with ... 506

111CX.. Jurisdiction for a location order or a Commonwealth information order 507

111CY... Giving information to central authorities and competent authorities in Convention countries                507

Subdivision G--Regulations                                                                                  508

111CZ... Regulations to implement the Convention ..................................... 508

Division 5--Other matters                                                                                     509

111D..... Regulations may provide for rules of evidence ............................... 509

Part XIIIA--Sanctions for failure to comply with orders, and other obligations, that do not affect children                                                                                                                                     510

Division 1--Interpretation                                                                                      510

112AA.. Interpretation .................................................................................. 510

112AB.. Meaning of contravene an order .................................................... 511

112AC.. Meaning of reasonable excuse for contravening an order ............. 511

Division 2--Sanctions for failure to comply with orders                         513

112AD.. Sanctions for failure to comply with orders ................................... 513

112AE... Sentences of imprisonment ............................................................. 514

112AF... Bonds .............................................................................................. 515

112AG.. Additional sentencing alternatives .................................................. 515

112AH.. Failure to comply with sentence passed, or order made, pursuant to paragraph 112AD(2)(b)               517

112AK.. Variation and discharge of orders .................................................... 518

112AM. Relationship between Division and other laws .............................. 519

112AN.. Arrangements with States and Territories for carrying out of sentences and orders                519

112AO.. Division does not limit operation of section 105 ........................... 520

Part XIIIB--Contempt of court                                                                                   521

112AP... Contempt ........................................................................................ 521

Part XIV--Declarations and injunctions                                                                 523

112A..... Interpretation .................................................................................. 523

113........ Proceedings for declarations ........................................................... 523

114........ Injunctions ...................................................................................... 523

114AA.. Powers of arrest .............................................................................. 525

114AB.. Operation of State and Territory laws ........................................... 526

Part XIVA--The Australian Institute of Family Studies                               528

114A..... Interpretation .................................................................................. 528

114B..... Establishment of Institute .............................................................. 528

114C..... Minister may give directions to Director ....................................... 529

114D..... Appointment of Director ............................................................... 529

114E...... Term of appointment ..................................................................... 529

114F...... Acting appointments ...................................................................... 529

114G..... Director's remuneration .................................................................. 530

114H..... Outside employment ...................................................................... 530

114J...... Leave of absence ............................................................................. 530

114K..... Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 530

114L...... Other terms and conditions ............................................................ 531

114LA... Resignation ..................................................................................... 531

114LB... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 531

114LC... Annual reports ................................................................................ 532

114LD... Delegation ....................................................................................... 532

114M.... Staff ................................................................................................ 532

Part XV--Miscellaneous                                                                                                 533

115........ Family Law Council ....................................................................... 533

116C..... Payments to legal practitioners by legal aid bodies ........................ 534

117........ Costs ............................................................................................... 535

117AA.. Costs in proceedings relating to overseas enforcement and international Conventions            537

117AB.. Costs where false allegation or statement made ............................. 537

117AC.. Security for costs ............................................................................ 538

117A..... Reparation for certain losses and expenses relating to children ...... 538

117B..... Interest on moneys ordered to be paid ........................................... 539

117C..... Offers of settlement ........................................................................ 540

118........ Frivolous or vexatious proceedings ................................................ 540

119........ Married persons may sue each other .............................................. 541

120........ Criminal conversation, adultery and enticement ............................. 541

121........ Restriction on publication of court proceedings ............................. 541

122........ Rights of legal practitioners ............................................................ 544

122AA.. Use of reasonable force in arresting persons .................................. 544

122A..... Powers of entry and search for purposes of arresting persons ...... 545

122B..... Arrangements with States and Territories ...................................... 545

123........ Rules of Court ................................................................................ 546

124........ Rules Advisory Committee ............................................................ 550

124A..... Regulations in relation to overseas‑related maintenance obligations etc. 551

125........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 552

Schedule 1--Child Protection Convention                                                             554

Notes                                                                                                                                           581

An Act relating to Marriage and to Divorce and Matrimonial Causes and, in relation thereto and otherwise, Parental Responsibility for Children, and to financial matters arising out of the breakdown of de facto relationships and to certain other Matters

  

Notes to the Family Law Act 1975

Note 1

The Family Law Act 1975 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 53, 1975 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

For application, saving or transitional provisions made by the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006, see Act No. 46, 2006.

All other relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 29 November 2000 is not included in this compilation. For subsequent information see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Family Law Act 1975	53, 1975	12 June 1975	5 Jan 1976 (see Gazette 1975, No. G35, p. 2)
Family Law Amendment Act 1976	63, 1976	8 June 1976	Ss. 1, 2, 17, 18 and 39: Royal Assent Ss. 29 and 30: 5 Jan 1976 Remainder: 1 July 1976	S. 19(2)
Family Law Amendment Act (No. 2) 1976	95, 1976	28 Sept 1976	28 Sept 1976	--
Marriage Amendment Act 1976	209, 1976	20 Dec 1976	Ss. 1, 2 and 30: Royal Assent Ss. 14 and 31: 1 July 1976 Remainder: 20 June 1977 (see Gazette 1977, No. S93)	--
Family Law Amendment Act 1977	102, 1977	11 Oct 1977	11 Oct 1977	--
Family Law Amendment Act 1979	23, 1979	5 Apr 1979	Ss. 4, 10, 11, 12(a), 17 and 23: 1 Aug 1979 (see Gazette 1979, No. S154) Remainder: Royal Assent	Ss. 18(2), 19(2) and 22(2)
Domicile (Consequential Amendments) Act 1982	2, 1982	4 Mar 1982	1 July 1982 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1982, No. G26, p. 2)	--
Family Law Amendment (Legal Aid Costs) Act 1983	67, 1983	20 Oct 1983	20 Oct 1983	--
Family Law Amendment Act 1983	72, 1983	28 Oct 1983	Part I (ss. 1, 2): Royal Assent Part II (ss. 3-72): 25 Nov 1983 Part III (ss. 73-76): 2 Jan 1985 (see Gazette 1984, No. S532)	Ss. 3(2), 18(2), (3), 19(2), 44(2), (3), 51(2) and 68(2)
Public Service Reform Act 1984	63, 1984	25 June 1984	S. 152(1): 20 July 1984 (see Gazette 1984, No. S276) (a)	--
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1984	72, 1984	25 June 1984	S. 3: (b)	Ss. 2(24) and 5(1)
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1984	165, 1984	25 Oct 1984	S. 3: (c)	S. 6(1)
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985	65, 1985	5 June 1985	S. 3: 3 July 1985 (d)	--
Public Service and Statutory Authorities Amendment Act 1985	166, 1985	11 Dec 1985	S. 45: 8 Jan 1986 (e)	S. 45(2)
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1985	193, 1985	16 Dec 1985	S. 3: Royal Assent (f)	Ss. 10 and 16
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1986	76, 1986	24 June 1986	S. 3: Royal Assent (g)	S. 9
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1986	168, 1986	18 Dec 1986	S. 3: Royal Assent (h)	S. 5(1)
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1987	141, 1987	18 Dec 1987	S. 3: Royal Assent (i)	S. 5(1)
Family Law Amendment Act 1987	181, 1987	26 Dec 1987	1 Apr 1988 (see Gazette 1988, No. S83)	Ss. 64 and 66-68 S. 65 (am. by 8, 1988, s. 45)
as amended by
Family Court of Australia (Additional Jurisdiction and Exercise of Powers) Act 1988	8, 1988	5 Apr 1988	(see 8, 1988 below)	--
Family Court of Australia (Additional Jurisdiction and Exercise of Powers) Act 1988	8, 1988	5 Apr 1988	Ss. 1-11, 12(b), (c), (e), (f), 13-21, 27, 29 and 30: Royal Assent S. 12(a) and (d): 1 Jan 1990 Remainder: 1 July 1988 (see Gazette 1988, No. S191)	--
as amended by
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1988	120, 1988	14 Dec 1988	Part XI (ss. 34, 35): 5 Apr 1988 (j)	--
Statutory Instruments (Tabling and Disallowance) Legislation Amendment Act 1988	99, 1988	2 Dec 1988	2 Dec 1988	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1988	120, 1988	14 Dec 1988	Part XII (ss. 36-39): Royal Assent (k)	Ss. 37(2), 38(2) and 39(2)
Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989	124, 1989	21 Sept 1989	1 Oct 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S314)	--
Courts and Tribunals Administration Amendment Act 1989	157, 1989	5 Dec 1989	Part 1 (ss. 1, 2) and Part 6 (ss. 17, 18): Royal Assent Remainder: 1 Jan 1990 (see Gazette 1989, No. S398)	S. 23
Family Law Amendment Act 1989	182, 1989	28 Dec 1989	25 Jan 1990	Ss. 21(2) and 23(2)
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1990	115, 1990	21 Dec 1990	Ss. 1, 2 and 40-49: Royal Assent Ss. 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 16, 17, 20-23, 28, 30, 32, 33, 38 and 39: 4 Feb 1991 (see Gazette 1991, No. GN3, p. 278) Remainder: 21 June 1991	--
Child Support Legislation Amendment Act 1990	138, 1990	28 Dec 1990	28 Dec 1990	--
Family Law Amendment Act 1991	37, 1991	27 Mar 1991	24 Apr 1991	--
Courts (Mediation and Arbitration) Act 1991	113, 1991	27 June 1991	Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent Remainder: 27 Dec 1991	--
Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Act 1991	122, 1991	27 June 1991	Ss. 4(1), 10(b) and 15-20: 1 Dec 1988 Ss. 28(b)-(e), 30 and 31: 10 Dec 1991 (see Gazette 1991, No. S332) Remainder: Royal Assent	S. 31(2)
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1991	136, 1991	12 Sept 1991	Schedule: 10 Oct 1991 (l)	--
Family Law Amendment Act (No. 2) 1991	159, 1991	25 Oct 1991	25 Oct 1991	--
Prime Minister and Cabinet Legislation Amendment Act 1991	199, 1991	18 Dec 1991	18 Dec 1991	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1992	22, 1992	13 Apr 1992	S. 3: Royal Assent (m)	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1992	23, 1992	6 May 1992	6 May 1992	--
Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 1992	94, 1992	30 June 1992	S. 3: 1 July 1990 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Territories Law Reform Act 1992	104, 1992	30 June 1992	Ss. 1, 2, 25 and 26: Royal Assent Ss. 9, 10, 19, 21 and 22: 29 June 1993 (see Gazette 1993, No. S196) Remainder: 1 July 1992	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No. 4) 1992	143, 1992	7 Dec 1992	S. 3: (n)	--
Social Security Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1992	229, 1992	24 Dec 1992	Schedule 4 (items 1-3): Royal Assent (o)	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1994	84, 1994	23 June 1994	Part 5 (s. 35): (p)	--
Family Law Reform Act 1995	167, 1995	16 Dec 1995	Ss. 1, 2 and 54: Royal Assent S. 52: 25 Jan 1996 (see Gazette 1996, No. S27) Remainder: 11 June 1996 (see Gazette 1996, No. GN5)	Ss. 52(2) and 59
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996	25 Oct 1996	Schedule 4 (items 72-74): Royal Assent (q)	--
Family Law Amendment Act 1997	25, 1997	10 Apr 1997	10 Apr 1997	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1997	34, 1997	17 Apr 1997	Schedule 7: Royal Assent (r)	--
Child Support Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1997	84, 1997	23 June 1997	Schedule 1 (items 40, 41): 21 July 1997 (s)	--
Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997	152, 1997	24 Oct 1997	Schedule 2 (items 751-759): 1 Jan 1998 (see Gazette 1997, No. GN49) (t)	--
Family Law Amendment Act (No. 1) 1998	89, 1998	14 July 1998	14 July 1998	--
Statute Stocktake Act 1999	118, 1999	22 Sept 1999	22 Sept 1999	--
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (items 439-454): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (u)	--
Corporate Law Economic Reform Program Act 1999	156, 1999	24 Nov 1999	Schedule 10 (item 83): 13 Mar 2000 (see Gazette 2000, No. S114) (v)	--
Federal Magistrates (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999	194, 1999	23 Dec 1999	Schedule 11: 23 Dec 1999 (w)	--
Child Support Legislation Amendment Act 2000	49, 2000	3 May 2000	3 May 2000	--
Family Law Amendment Act 2000	143, 2000	29 Nov 2000	Schedule 3 (items 31A, 117): Royal Assent Schedule 3 (item 41): (x) Remainder: 27 Dec 2000	Sch. 1 (item 31) and Sch. 3 (items 20, 24, 40, 56, 56B, 75, 83) [see Table A]
Jurisdiction of Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2000	161, 2000	21 Dec 2000	21 Dec 2000	Sch. 1 (item 16) [see Table A]
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	24, 2001	6 Apr 2001	S. 4(1), (2) and Schedule 27: (y)	S. 4(1) and (2) [see Table A]
Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) Act 2001	61, 2001	28 June 2001	28 Dec 2002	S. 4 S. 5 (as am. by 86, 2002, Sch. 5 [item 10]) [see Table A]
as amended by
Proceeds of Crime (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2002	86, 2002	11 Oct 2002	(see 86, 2002 below)	--
Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2001	114, 2001	18 Sept 2001	(z)	--
Abolition of Compulsory Age Retirement (Statutory Officeholders) Act 2001	159, 2001	1 Oct 2001	29 Oct 2001	Sch. 1 (item 97) [see Table A]
Family Law Amendment (Child Protection Convention) Act 2002	69, 2002	3 Sept 2002	Schedule 1: 1 Aug 2003 (see s. 2(1)) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Proceeds of Crime (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2002	86, 2002	11 Oct 2002	Ss. 1-3: Royal Assent Remainder: 1 Jan 2003 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 2002, No. GN44)	--
Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2002	121, 2002	2 Dec 2002	Schedules 1-4: (za) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Family Law Amendment Act 2003	138, 2003	17 Dec 2003	Schedules 1-3, Schedule 4 (items 1, 3, 6-8, 14-19, 23, 24), Schedule 5 (items 2, 3) and Schedule 7 (items 1-19, 21-24, 27-29A, 32-35): 14 Jan 2004 Schedule 4 (items 2, 4, 5, 9-13, 20-22, 25-27), Schedule 5 (items 1A, 1, 4) and Schedule 7 (items 20, 25, 26, 30, 31): (zb) Schedule 6: 17 Dec 2004 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 2 (item 9), Sch. 3 (item 29), Sch. 4A (item 6), Sch. 6 (item 2) and Sch. 7 (item 35) [see Table A]
Legislative Instruments (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003	140, 2003	17 Dec 2003	Schedule 1 (items 19-22): (zc)	--
Family Law Amendment (Annuities) Act 2004	153, 2004	15 Dec 2004	Schedule 1: (zd) Schedule 2: 15 June 2005 Remainder: Royal Assent	S. 4 [see Table A]
Bankruptcy and Family Law Legislation Amendment Act 2005	20, 2005	18 Mar 2005	Schedule 1: 18 Sept 2005 Schedules 3-5: 15 Apr 2005 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (item 60) [see Table A]
Family Law Amendment Act 2005	98, 2005	6 July 2005	Schedule 1 (items 1-137): 3 Aug 2005 Schedule 1 (item 138): 18 Sept 2005 Schedule 1 (item 139): (ze) Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 4, 7, 14, 22, 35, 129, 131, 133, 135) [see Table A]
Jurisdiction of Courts (Family Law) Act 2006	22, 2006	6 Apr 2006	Schedule 1 (items 1-27): 1 July 2006 ( see F2006L01796) Schedule 1 (items 28-30): (zf) Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (item 27) [see Table A]
Jurisdiction of the Federal Magistrates Court Legislation Amendment Act 2006	23, 2006	6 Apr 2006	Schedule 2 (items 1, 2): 4 May 2006	--
Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006	46, 2006	22 May 2006	Schedules 1 and 2: 1 July 2006 (see F2006L01775) Schedule 3 (item  2-8), Schedule 4 (items 9-86, 118-138, 139), Schedules 5-7, Schedule 8 (items 40-101, 103, 104) and Schedule 9 (items 6-16, 18-41, 43-66): 1 July 2006 Schedule 4 (items 1-8) and Schedule 10: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 42-44), Sch. 2 (items 8-10), Sch. 3 (item 8), Sch. 4 (items 118-138, 139), Sch. 5 (items 14-16), Sch. 6 (items 2-4), Sch. 7 (item 2), Sch. 8 (items 103, 104) and Sch. 9 (items 65, 66) [see Note 1]
Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation (2006 Budget and Other Measures) Act 2006	82, 2006	30 June 2006	Schedule 8: 1 July 2006	Sch. 8 (items 12-29) [see Table A]
Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme--New Formula and Other Measures) Act 2006	146, 2006	6 Dec 2006	Schedule 2 (items 111-115): 1 July 2008 Schedule 3 (item 75): 1 Jan 2007	Sch. 2 (item 115) (am. by 82, 2007, Sch. 1 [item 99]) [see Table A]
as amended by
Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Child Support Reform Consolidation and Other Measures) Act 2007	82, 2007	21 June 2007	Schedule 1 (item 99): (see 82, 2007 below)	--
Judiciary Legislation Amendment Act 2006	151, 2006	7 Dec 2006	7 Dec 2006	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2007	8, 2007	15 Mar 2007	Schedule 1 (items 9, 10): Royal Assent	--
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Act 2007	15, 2007	15 Mar 2007	Schedule 1 (items 10-16, 406(1)-(3)): (zg)	Sch. 1 (item 406(1)-(3)) [see Table A]
Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Child Support Reform Consolidation and Other Measures) Act 2007	82, 2007	21 June 2007	Schedule 1 (item 99): (zh) Schedule 2 (items 101-113): 19 July 2007	--
Evidence Amendment (Journalists' Privilege) Act 2007	116, 2007	28 June 2007	Schedule 1: 26 July 2007 Remainder:  Royal Assent	--
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008	26, 2008	23 June 2008	Schedule 1 (items 61-64): Royal Assent	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2008	73, 2008	3 July 2008	Schedule 4 (items 289-293): 4 July 2008	--
Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Act 2008	115, 2008	21 Nov 2008	Schedule 1 (items 1-4, 6-20, 22-93) and Schedule 4 (item 1): 1 Mar 2009 (see F2009L00264) Schedule 1 (items 5, 21), Schedule 3, Schedule 3A and Schedule 4 (items 1A, 1B): Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items  85-93) and Sch. 3A (item 9) [see Table A]
Same‑Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws--General Law Reform) Act 2008	144, 2008	9 Dec 2008	Schedule 2 (items 52A-52C): 10 Dec 2008	Sch. 2 (item 52C) [see Table A]

(a)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by subsection 152(1) only of the Public Service Reform Act 1984, subsection 2(4) of which provides as follows:

                 (4)   The remaining provisions of this Act shall come into operation on such day as is, or on such respective days as are, fixed by Proclamation.

(b)    The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1984, subsection 2(12) of which provides as follows:

               (12)   The amendments of the Family Law Act 1975 made by this Act shall:

                              (a)   in the case of the amendment of section 37A of that Act--come into operation, or be deemed to have come into operation, as the case requires, on the commencement of Part III of the Family Law Amendment Act 1983; and

                              (b)   in the case of the amendments of sections 44 and 87 of that Act--be deemed to have come into operation on 25 November 1983; and

                              (c)   in the case of the other amendments of that Act--come into operation on a day to be fixed by Proclamation.

         Part III commenced on 2 January 1985 (see Gazette 1984, No. S532).

         The remainder of the amendments commenced on 2 January 1985 (see Gazette 1984, No. S532).

(c)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1984, subsection 2(10) of which provides as follows:

               (10)   The amendments of the Family Law Act 1975 made by this Act shall come into operation, or be deemed to have come into operation, as the case requires, on the commencement of Part III of the Family Law Amendment Act 1983.

         Part III commenced on 2 January 1985 (see Gazette 1984, No. S532).

(d)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the twenty‑eighth day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(e)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 45 only of the Public Service and Statutory Authorities Amendment Act 1985, subsection 2(7) of which provides as follows:

                 (7)   The remaining provisions of this Act shall come into operation on the twenty‑eighth day after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

(f)      The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1985, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(g)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1986, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(h)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1986, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(i)      The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1987, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(j)      The Family Court of Australia (Additional Jurisdiction and Exercise of Powers) Act 1988 was amended by Part XI (sections 34 and 35) only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1988, subsection 2(6) of which provides as follows:

                 (6)   Part XI shall be taken to have commenced on 5 April 1988.

(k)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Part XII (sections 36-39) only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1988, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(l)      The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by the Schedule only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1991, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the 28th day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(m)    The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1992, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(n)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No. 4) 1992, subsections 2(1) and (3) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

                 (3)   The amendments of the Family Law Act 1975 (other than the amendment inserting a new section 37C of that Act), and the amendments of the Judges (Long Leave Payments) Act 1979 and the Judges' Pensions Act 1968, made by this Act are taken to have commenced on 1 November 1991.

(o)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 4 (items 1-3) only of the Social Security Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1992, subsection 2(1)(g) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   The following provisions commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent:

                              (g)   Part 1 of Schedule 4;

(p)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Part 5 (section 35) only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1994, subsection 2(5) of which provides as follows:

                 (5)   The amendment made by Part 5 is taken to have commenced on 1 November 1991.

(q)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 4 (items 72-74) only of the Statute Law Revision Act 1996, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to subsections (2) and (3), this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(r)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 7 only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1997, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(s)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 40 and 41) only of the Child Support Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1997, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to subsection (2), this Act commences on the 28th day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(t)      The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 2 (items 751-759) only of the Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   Schedules 1, 2 and 4 commence on the same day as the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

(u)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 439-454) only of the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   In this Act, commencing time means the time when the Public Service Act 1999 commences.

                 (2)   Subject to this section, this Act commences at the commencing time.

(v)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 10 (item 83) only of the Corporate Law Economic Reform Program Act 1999, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   The following provisions commence on a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation:

                              (a)   section 3;

                              (b)   the items in Schedules 1 to 7 (other than item 18 of Schedule 7);

                              (c)   the items in Schedules 10, 11 and 12.

(w)    The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 11 only of the Federal Magistrates (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the commencement of the Federal Magistrates Act 1999.

(x)     Subsection 2(2) of the Family Law Amendment Act 2000 provides as follows:

                 (2)   Item 41 of Schedule 3 is taken to have commenced immediately after the commencement of section 26 of the Family Court of Australia (Additional Jurisdiction and Exercise of Powers) Act 1988.

         Section 26 commenced on 1 July 1988 (see Gazette 1988, No. S191).

(y)     The Family Law Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 27 only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001, subsection 2(1)(a) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences at the later of the following times:

                              (a)   immediately after the commencement of item 15 of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000;

         Item 15 commenced on 24 May 2001.

(z)     Section 2 of the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2001 provides as follows:

                    2   This Act commences immediately after the commencement of the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) Act 2001.

         The Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) Act 2001 came into operation on 28 December 2002.

(za)   Subsection 2(1) (item 2) of the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2002 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
2.  Schedules 1 to 4	Immediately after the commencement of the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) Act 2001	28 December 2002

(zb)  Subsection 2(1) (items 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 20, 22 and 24) of the Family Law Amendment Act 2003 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
6.  Schedule 4, item 2	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
8.  Schedule 4, items 4 and 5	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
10.  Schedule 4, items 9 to 13	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
12.  Schedule 4, items 20 to 22	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
14.  Schedule 4, items 25 to 27	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
15.  Schedule 5, items 1A and 1	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
17.  Schedule 5, item 4	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
20.  Schedule 7, item 20	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
22.  Schedule 7, items 25 and 26	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000
24.  Schedule 7, items 30 and 31	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2000	27 December 2000

(zc)   Subsection 2(1) (item 3) of the Legislative Instruments (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
3.  Schedule 1	Immediately after the commencement of sections 3 to 62 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003	1 January 2005

(zd)   Subsection 2(1) (item 2) of the Family Law Amendment (Annuities) Act 2004 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
2.  Schedule 1	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 6 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2003.	17 December 2004

(ze)   Subsection 2(1) (item 4) of the Family Law Amendment Act 2005 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
4.  Schedule 1, Part 17	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Bankruptcy and Family Law Legislation Amendment Act 2005.	18 September 2005

(zf)    Subsection 2(1) (items 3-5) of the Jurisdiction of Courts (Family Law) Act 2006 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
3.  Schedule 1, item 28	Immediately after the commencement of item 83 of Schedule 1 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2005.	3 August 2005
4.  Schedule 1, item 29	Immediately after the commencement of item 126 of Schedule 1 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2005.	3 August 2005
5.  Schedule 1, item 30	Immediately after the commencement of item 127 of Schedule 1 to the Family Law Amendment Act 2005.	3 August 2005

(zg)   Subsection 2(1) (item 2) of the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Act 2007 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
2.  Schedule 1	Immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Tax Laws Amendment (Simplified Superannuation) Act 2007.	15 March 2007

(zh)   Subsection 2(1) (item 5) of the Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Child Support Reform Consolidation and Other Measures) Act 2007 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
5.  Schedule 1, items 99 and 100	Immediately before the commencement of items 92 to 96 of Schedule 2 to the Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme--New Formula and Other Measures) Act 2006.	1 January 2008

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Title .................................	am. No. 181, 1987; No. 167, 1995; No. 115, 2008
Part I
S. 3 .................................	am. No. 23, 1979; No. 118, 1999
S. 4 .................................	am. No. 63, 1976; No. 23, 1979; No. 2, 1982; No. 72, 1983; Nos. 63 and 72, 1984; No. 181, 1987; Nos. 157 and 182, 1989; No. 113, 1991; No. 104, 1992; No. 167, 1995; Nos. 146 and 194, 1999; No. 143, 2000; No. 86, 2002; No. 138, 2003; Nos. 20 and 98, 2005; Nos. 22 and 46, 2006; Nos. 115 and 144, 2008
S. 4AA............................	ad. No. 115, 2008
S. 4A ..............................	ad. No. 138, 2003
	am. No. 115, 2008
S. 4B ..............................	ad. No. 115, 2008
S. 5 .................................	rs. No. 63, 1976; No. 72, 1983
	rep. No. 181, 1987
	ad. No. 20, 2005
S. 5A ..............................	ad. No. 72, 1983
	rep. No. 181, 1987
S. 7 .................................	rs. No. 104, 1992
S. 7A ..............................	ad. No. 24, 2001
S. 9 .................................	am. No. 63, 1976; No. 23, 1979; No. 181, 1987
Part IA
Part IA.............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
S. 9A...............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
S. 10 ...............................	am. Nos. 63 and 95, 1976; No. 72, 1983
	rep. No. 181, 1987
Part II
Part II ..............................	rs. No. 167, 1995; No. 46, 2006
Division 1
S. 10A.............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Division 2
Ss. 10B-10E...................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Division 3
S. 10F..............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
S. 10G.............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
	am. No. 8, 2007
S. 10H.............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 10J, 10K....................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Division 4
S. 10L..............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
	am. No. 115, 2008
Ss. 10M, 10N...................	ad. No. 46, 2006
S. 10P..............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Part III
Heading to Part III............	rs. No. 167, 1995; No. 46, 2006
Part III...............................	rs. No. 46, 2006
Division 1
Heading to Div. 1 of........ Part III	ad. No. 167, 1995 rs. No. 46, 2006
S. 11 ...............................	am. No. 181, 1987; No. 37, 1991
	rs. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 11A-11D..................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Division 2
Div. 2 of Part III................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rs. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 11E-11G...................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Div. 3 of Part III ...............	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to Div. 4 of........ Part III	ad. No. 167, 1995 rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to Div. 5 of........ Part III	ad. No. 167, 1995 rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to Subdiv. A of.. Div. 5 of Part III	ad. No. 167, 1995 rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to Subdiv. B of.. Div. 5 of Part III	ad. No. 167, 1995 rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to Subdiv. C of.. Div. 5 of Part III	ad. No. 167, 1995 rep. No. 46, 2006
Div. 6 of Part III................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Part IIIA
Heading to Part IIIA .........	rep. No. 167, 1995
	ad. No. 46, 2006
Part IIIA............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	rep. No. 167, 1995
	ad. No. 46, 2006
Division 1
Heading to Div. 1 of......... Part IIIA	rep. No. 167, 1995 ad. No. 46, 2006
S. 12................................	am. No. 181, 1987; No. 37, 1991
	rs. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 12A.............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
	am. No. 8, 2007
Division 2
Heading to Div. 2 of........ Part IIIA	rep. No. 167, 1995 ad. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 12B-12D...................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Division 3
Heading to Div. 3 of........ Part IIIA	rep. No. 167, 1995 ad. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 12E-12G...................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Part IIIB
Part IIIB............................	ad. No. 46, 2006
Division 1
S. 13...............................	am. No. 181, 1987; No. 37, 1991
	rs. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 13A.............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	am. No. 46, 2006
	rs. No. 46, 2006
Division 2
S. 13B ............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	am. No. 46, 2006
	rs. No. 46, 2006
Division 3
S. 13C.............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rs. No. 46, 2006
S. 13D ............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	am. No. 194, 1999
	rs. No. 46, 2006
Division 4
Heading to s. 13E ...........	am. No. 115, 2008
S. 13E..............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rs. No. 46, 2006
	am. No. 115, 2008
Ss. 13F-13H...................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rs. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 13J, 13K....................	ad. No. 46, 2006
S. 14 ...............................	am. No. 63, 1976; No. 72, 1983; No. 181, 1987; No. 182, 1989
	rs. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 14A ............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 14B ............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	am. No. 194, 1999; No. 98, 2005
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 14C ............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	am. No. 138, 2003
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 14D ............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 14E .............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	am. No. 143, 2000
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 14F, 14G ..................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 14H ............................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 15 ...............................	am. No. 63, 1976; No. 72, 1983; No. 181, 1987; No. 167, 1995; No. 138, 2003
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 15A.............................	ad. No. 194, 1999
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 16 ...............................	rs. No. 63, 1976
	am. No. 72, 1983; No. 181, 1987; No. 138, 2003
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 16A ............................	ad. No. 72, 1983
	am. No. 181, 1987
	rs. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 16B, 16C ..................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 17 ...............................	am. No. 72, 1983; No. 181, 1987; No. 167, 1995; No. 194, 1999; No. 138, 2003
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 18 ...............................	am. No. 63, 1976; No. 72, 1983
	rep. No. 167, 1995
S. 19 ...............................	am. No. 63, 1976; No. 181, 1987; No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to s. 19A ..........	am. No. 194, 1999
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19A ............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	am. No. 167, 1995; No. 194, 1999; No. 138, 2003
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19AAA .......................	ad. No. 194, 1999
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19AA .........................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to s. 19B ...........	am. No. 194, 1999
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19B ............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	am. No. 167, 1995; No. 194, 1999; No. 138, 2003
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19BAA .......................	ad. No. 194, 1999
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19BA ..........................	ad. No. 167, 1995
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19C ............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	rep. No. 167, 1995
S. 19D ............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	am. No. 194, 1999; No. 143, 2000
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19E .............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	am. No. 194, 1999; No. 143, 2000; No. 98, 2005
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Ss. 19EA, 19EB ..............	ad. No. 143, 2000
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Heading to s. 19F ...........	am. No. 143, 2000
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19F .............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	am. No. 143, 2000
	rep. No. 46, 2006
Note to s. 19F(1) ............	ad. No. 143, 2000
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19FA ..........................	ad. No. 143, 2000
	rep. No. 46, 2006
S. 19G ............................	ad. No. 113, 1991
	rs. No. 143, 2000